A newly disclosed Microsoft Defender exploit has raised fresh concern among security teams after researchers said it could allow a local attacker to gain SYSTEM-level privileges on fully patched Windows machines. The vulnerability, named RoguePlanet by its publisher, was released with proof-of-concept code under the alias MSNightmare, adding to a turbulent sequence of Windows and Defender disclosures that have tested Microsoft’s patching process and the wider debate […]
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 June 2026 – OOm Institute, a Singapore-based AI and digital skills training provider, is calling for greater AI fluency as businesses adopt Generative AI and concerns grow over declining critical thinking and verification skills.
The rapid adoption of AI tools without sufficient verification, contextual understanding, or critical oversight is contributing to a growing “Human Critical Thinking Gap”.
Recent research from Professors Rick Dakan and Joseph Feller also corroborates this; only 8.7% of participants consistently verified high-stakes AI-generated claims before accepting them.
Beyond the Prompt: The Human-Centric Shift
While prompt engineering remains a foundational skill for today’s workforce, OOm Institute suggests the discipline must evolve beyond simple input mechanics.
“We are entering a false competence trap,” says Ian Cheow, CEO at OOm Institute. “People are learning how to prompt, but they aren’t learning how to make the right decisions. If you cannot spot when an AI’s logic fails, you aren’t using a tool, you are delegating your intelligence.”
The Warning: If You Let AI Think for You, You “De-skill”
Professionals who rely heavily on AI without developing critical evaluation skills risk “de-skilling”, where domain expertise erodes over time due to over-dependence on automated systems.
The concept of AI Fluency is built around three core capabilities:
Decision to Correct: The ability to determine when AI-generated output is sufficient and when it poses a risk that requires human revision or rejection.
Contextual Sovereignty: Ensuring human oversight remains central so AI outputs align with Singapore’s cultural, commercial, and ethical contexts.
Critical Inquiry: Moving beyond prompting to actively question assumptions, logic, accuracy, and completeness in AI-generated responses.
Real-World Practice vs Theory
As AI tools evolve rapidly, practitioners argue that effective AI capability cannot rely solely on static classroom theory. Real-world usage often involves changing workflows, unpredictable outputs, and context-specific decision-making that require continuous practical application and human judgment.
Maintaining AI fluency increasingly requires learning from practitioners actively applying these tools in commercial environments.
“At OOm Institute, our focus is on building practical decision-making in AI usage,” Mr Cheow added. “Our goal is to help professionals use AI with stronger critical thinking, clearer accountability, and practical business understanding.” Hashtag: #aicourse #wsqaicourse #aisingapore #aifluency #aiskills
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OOm Institute
OOm Institute is a WSQ course provider in Singapore, supporting workforce upskilling in AI, Digital Marketing, and Soft Skills, backed by expert trainers and over 20 years of digital expertise. They deliver industry-oriented learning programmes designed to help organisations apply digital tools effectively in real-world business environments.
Anthropic has released Claude Fable 5, its most powerful AI model made broadly available, opening public access to a safeguarded version of the company’s Mythos-class technology after months of controlled testing among selected partners. The launch marks a significant shift for the San Francisco-based AI company, which had previously limited Mythos-class capabilities because of concerns over advanced cybersecurity and biological-risk use cases. Claude Fable 5 is being […]
Dubai has launched a new phase of its Content Creators Programme to train emerging talent in cultural storytelling, digital production and responsible online communication, placing the initiative at the centre of the emirate’s push to expand its creative economy. The programme, led by Dubai Press Club in partnership with Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, focuses on helping creators produce cultural and creative content that reflects Dubai’s identity, […]
Bumblebees have been shown to solve a complex tool-use puzzle without being trained, strengthening evidence that advanced problem-solving is not confined to humans, apes, elephants and other large-brained animals. Researchers from universities in Finland found that buff-tailed bumblebees could move a small ball beneath an artificial flower suspended above them, climb on to the ball and reach a sugar-water reward. The task was designed as an insect-scale […]
The competition drew over 40 global submissions to decarbonise beef and dairy supply chains, with winning solution set to scale across one of Asia’s leading retail networks
HONG KONG SAR- Media OutReach Newswire – 9 June 2026 – DFI Retail Group (DFI or the Group), a leading Asian retailer, and The Mills Fabrica, a global collaborative hub propelling sustainability-focused innovations in the techstyle and agrifood sectors, named Number 8 Bio as the winner of the DFI Sustainability Innovation Challenge 2026. This announcement follows the Final Pitching event, which was held on 5 June, World Environment Day. The Australia-based innovator was recognised for BetterFeed™, a range of proprietary feed additives that cut enteric methane from grazing cattle and sheep while improving the productivity of every animal that uses it. The team takes home a HK$120,000 grant and the opportunity to partner with DFI to scale its solution across the Group’s regional beef and dairy supply chains.
Representatives of DFI Retail Group, The Mills Fabrica, and the judging panel jointly presented the award to Thomas Williams, CEO and Co-Founder of Number 8 Bio, who was named the winner of the Challenge.
Scott Price, Group Chief Executive, DFI Retail Group said: “Tackling Scope 3 emissions requires collaboration across the value chain, and we are pleased that the Challenge has created opportunities for innovators to test and scale practical solutions within real operating environments. We look forward to seeing how they support our progress towards more sustainable and resilient food systems.”
Meet the Winner: From Pitch to Pilot Across Asia’s Supply Chains
Number 8 Bio has built a feed additive that does two jobs at once. BetterFeed™, a family of proprietary organic small molecules, free of bromoform, reduces enteric methane from grazing cattle and sheep, which is responsible for both the majority of livestock emissions and a 12% loss of nutritional energy from every pasture. By stopping that methane from forming, BetterFeed™ redirects the recovered energy straight back into animal growth and production, a genuine win for farmers’ bottom lines as much as for the climate. Winning the DFI Sustainability Innovation Challenge opens a pilot pathway across DFI’s beef and dairy supply chains, including with Mengniu Dairy and Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CPF).
Thomas Williams, CEO and Co-Founder of Number 8 Bio said, “We are grateful for the exposure to such a high-calibre ecosystem, from fellow innovators addressing the same problem from different angles to the investors and industry players. The conversations alone have accelerated our thinking in ways that months of independent work could not.”
A Global Search Anchored in Asia: Addressing the Region’s Beef and Dairy Decarbonisation Challenge
Across Asia, rising incomes and urbanisation continue to drive demand for meat and dairy products. Supporting the transition to lower-emission production will be key to ensuring the long-term resilience of food systems while meeting evolving consumer expectations.
Launched in December 2025, the DFI Sustainability Innovation Challenge was designed to bridge innovation and implementation by connecting global innovators directly with DFI’s extensive supply-chain network.
Through The Mills Fabrica’s global scouting network across 30 countries, including university research institutions, venture capital and startup-incubator networks, the Challenge attracted over 40 submissions from five continents. These solutions ranged from novel feed, feed additives and biomanufacturing to AI and SaaS data platforms, processing innovations and energy management systems. Nearly half were at commercial-ready maturity, reflecting a strong pipeline of scalable solutions rather than early-stage concepts.
Cintia Nunes, General Manager, Head of Asia, The Mills Fabrica said, “The next phase of climate innovation is not just about discovering new technologies but helping them scale in ways that create tangible change. DFI is an industry leader willing to put real supply-chain access and pilot pathways behind climate-tech innovators. We are committed to deepening this partnership with DFI and to working with more forward-looking partners, so that the most promising innovators get the partnerships, capital and pilots they need to translate their work to commercial impact.”
The Finalists: A Global Cohort Tackling Beef and Dairy’s Hardest Climate Problems
The finalists represent leading approaches to reducing ruminant emissions, including novel feed additives, synthetic biology, AI-enabled monitoring, genetic optimisation, and waste-to-renewable resources:
Provectus Algae (Australia): Creator of Surf’N’Turf®, a scalable seaweed-based feed supplement designed to reduce ruminant livestock methane emissions. Powered by Provectus Algae’s proprietary Precision Photosynthesis® and AI-enabled biomanufacturing platform, Surf’N’Turf® has demonstrated enteric methane reductions of up to 98% while improving feed efficiency and supporting lower-emission livestock systems.
AbacusBio (New Zealand): A genetics consultancy working in over 30 countries. Its Methane Sire Selection Tool is an app that generates a selection index to help select breeding sires for genetic methane reduction, balancing total and intensity emissions cuts with on-farm profitability metrics.
eVerse.AI (India): Their dual-track platform is revolutionising dairy sustainability and productivity, leveraging cutting-edge innovation. GreenCow harnesses methane measurement tech and eco-friendly interventions to generate verified carbon credits, empowering farmers to monetise their sustainable practices. ConnectedCow, a SaaS platform, integrates biometric ID with AI-driven insights to optimise milk yield, fertility, and herd health, providing a unified dashboard for monitoring productivity, breeding, and methane.
Kinava (South Korea): G2E Company (Green Waste to Energy) applies Hybrid Hydrothermal Carbonization to convert organic waste — livestock manure, food waste, wood waste, and sewage sludge — into odorless biofertilizer, biocoal, biocokes, biochar, and biogas in under three hours, using 70% less energy than conventional drying. Kinava’s first commercial plant has processed 100T/d pig manure since 2024, with a cassava-to-biocoal pilot plant also installed in Thailand in 2025.
Finalists pitched to a panel of leading academics and industry experts in ruminant nutrition, environmental science, agri-food sustainability, and corporate decarbonisation strategy. The pitching day brought together the DFI Management Committee, leading regional beef and dairy suppliers, academic experts, and ecosystem partners, enabling direct engagement between solution innovators and industry stakeholders.
In addition to formal pitches, all finalists presented their solutions through a dedicated Product and Technology Showcase, facilitating deeper discussions on pilot and deployment opportunities.
Erica Chan, Group Chief Legal, Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, DFI Retail Group added: “We are pleased that this partnership with The Mills Fabrica has identified technologies with real commercial potential. Their global network and deep expertise in sustainability innovation helped us connect with a very strong cohort of climate-tech innovators. What impressed us most was the commercial readiness of the solutions. These are practical technologies with the potential to reduce emissions, strengthen supply chain resilience, and support more sustainable food systems.”
DFI Retail Group and The Mills Fabrica will continue to provide ongoing mentorship, ecosystem connections, and access to its global network, both to the winner and to the wider finalist cohort.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
DFI Retail Group
DFI Retail Group is a leading Asian retailer driven by its purpose to “Sustainably Serve Asia for Generations with Everyday Moments”. At 31 December 2025, the Group and Maxim’s operated 7,580 outlets and employed more than 79,000 people across 12 markets. The Group is committed to delivering quality, value and service to consumers across the region through trusted brands, strong local market positions, and a broad retail ecosystem supported by extensive store networks, digital capabilities and efficient supply chains. The Group operates a portfolio of well-known brands across five key divisions: health and beauty, convenience, food, home furnishings and restaurants under Maxim’s.
OpenAI has widened access to ChatGPT Lockdown Mode, extending an advanced security setting beyond enterprise deployments to eligible personal accounts and self-serve Business users as concern grows over prompt injection attacks and data leakage risks in web-connected artificial intelligence tools. Eligible users on Free, Go, Plus and Pro plans, along with self-serve ChatGPT Business accounts, are being given access to the feature through the Security section of […]
Investment by leading industry institute supports Tracr’s evolution to becoming an independent, industry-wide platform for natural diamond provenance
LAS VEGAS, US – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 June 2026 – De Beers Group and GIA (Gemological Institute of America) today announced the signing of a definitive agreement for GIA to acquire a 30 per cent shareholding in Tracr, the De Beers Group-backed company behind the development of the pioneering diamond provenance blockchain-driven platform.
The agreement marks a significant milestone in Tracr’s evolution towards independence and reflects GIA’s confidence in the platform’s role as an industry-wide infrastructure to advance natural diamond provenance and traceability at scale.
GIA’s investment – which builds on a 2023 initiative to include diamond provenance information registered on Tracr’s platform on eligible GIA diamond grading reports – represents a significant step in this transition, reinforcing Tracr’s long-term credibility across the diamond value chain.
Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group, said: “Consumers deserve to know where their diamonds come from and they should feel more confident in their understanding of each diamond’s source. At De Beers we have been providing provenance data on diamonds through Tracr for several years and we believe that delivering provenance should become an industry standard. Following our promise to open Tracr up to broad ownership, we are proud to be partnering with GIA as Tracr evolves into an independent, industry-wide platform. We will work alongside GIA to advance provenance transparency for the entire diamond sector.”
Pritesh Patel, President and CEO of GIA, said: “At GIA, our mission has always been rooted in trust, integrity, and consumer confidence. Our collaboration with Tracr over the past several years reinforced our belief that combining source-based blockchain provenance with GIA’s independent grading and identification expertise can help unlock a new level of transparency for the diamond industry. As Tracr continues to scale globally, we see a tremendous opportunity to deliver meaningful, verifiable provenance information from the source to the consumer. We are proud to deepen our commitment through this investment and help shape the next evolution of transparency, traceability, and trust across our industry.”
Jillian Wolk, CEO of Tracr, said: “The start of Tracr’s evolution into an independent platform, as a result of GIA’s investment, creates a strong foundation for the future. I am excited to continue scaling the platform and bringing more producers on board, which will support Tracr in enabling the individual journey of every registered diamond to come to life. Each stone carries its own narrative, defined by its source and the craftsmanship that has shaped it, and as Tracr continues to grow we have a fantastic opportunity to help reveal those unique stories.”
De Beers has been developing Tracr since 2018 and it is now a leading distributed diamond blockchain platform that starts at the source, registering diamonds at the point of recovery. In 2023, De Beers opened the platform to the wider diamond industry, positioning Tracr as an industry-wide, scalable solution for rough-to-polish verification of natural diamond provenance, which starts at a stone’s source.
Today, more than five million rough diamonds have been registered on Tracr at source, representing around two-thirds of De Beers’rough diamond production by value. Since January 2025, single country of origin for De Beers diamonds has been available on Tracr, with all newly sourced De Beers rough diamonds of one carat and above being registered on the platform.
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About De Beers Group
Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining, marketing and retailing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of De Beers Group’s strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers that span the diamond value chain, including its jewellery houses, De Beers Jewellers and Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives Tracr and GemFair. De Beers Group also provides leading services and technology to the diamond industry in the form of education and laboratory services via De Beers Institute of Diamonds and a wide range of diamond sorting, detection and classification technology systems via De Beers Group Ignite. De Beers Group is committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future – where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; where communities thrive and the environment is protected; and where there are equal opportunities for all. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo-American plc group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.
About GIA An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight and, in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which is recognized around the world as the standard for diamond quality.
Through research, education, gemological laboratory services and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science and professionalism.
Open-source maintainers and software manufacturers are heading towards the European Union’s first Cyber Resilience Act enforcement milestone with deep gaps in awareness, preparedness and legal clarity, after new OpenSSF research found that about two-thirds of practitioners remain unready or unaware of the compliance timetable. The finding has sharpened concern across the software supply chain because the CRA’s vulnerability and incident reporting duties begin on 11 September 2026, […]
Software developers across close to 100 organisations have been targeted by a likely North Korea-linked hacking operation that used fake recruitment and code-review tasks to steal cryptocurrency, browser credentials and wallet data. The campaign, tracked by security researchers as UNK_DeadDrop, unfolded over April and May and reached targets in technology, finance, cryptocurrency, education, business services and other sectors. More than 250 phishing emails were sent during a […]
Citrini Research has placed Hyperliquid among its more compelling crypto ideas, arguing that the decentralised exchange stands apart from much of the digital asset market because it generates meaningful cash flow and channels a large share of trading fees into token buybacks. The research firm’s attention carries unusual weight after its February essay on artificial intelligence and market risk helped trigger a sharp sell-off across technology and […]
Spearheads Cross-border Tech Collaboration Leveraging Hong Kong’s Role as Superconnector
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 June 2026 – The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is set to make its debut at Paris-based Viva Technology 2026 (VivaTech), Europe’s flagship premier event dedicated to technological innovation and startup collaboration. PolyU’s first-ever participation at the prestigious tech summit which is composed of a startup exhibition and two insight-packed seminars, will be led by Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU’s Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation), and Prof. Zijian ZHENG, Vice President (Knowledge Transfer). This milestone underscores the University’s expanded global outreach and strengthened engagement with European markets.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University will showcase five promising PolyU startups at Paris-based VivaTech 2026. Visitors are welcome to interact with these innovative ventures and join its insight-packed seminars.
During this year’s event scheduled from 17 to 20 June 2026 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, PolyU will showcase its achievements at the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). Located at Booth 1C11, Hall 7.1, the University will present five outstanding PolyU-nurtured startups across high-growth tech domains, including AI and Robotics, Health Tech, Sustainable and Climate Tech, and FinTech. For more information about these innovative ventures, please check out the event’s online leaflet.
As Europe’s most influential innovation gathering, VivaTech brings together global visionaries, startup founders, industry leaders, investors and corporate innovators, providing as a pivotal platform for cross-border collaboration and technological knowledge exchange. PolyU’s participation at VivaTech further extends its global innovation footprint into Europe, and connects the University and its startups with international investment and market resources.
In addition to the exhibition, PolyU will host an exclusive thematic session on-site and engage in high-level industry dialogues to deepen collaboration between Europe and Hong Kong. On 18 June, PolyU will stage a dedicated seminar titled “Breaking Barriers with Autonomous Systems: Transforming Industries with AI Innovation”, where Prof. Chao will deliver the opening remarks, and Prof. Zheng will share his insight on how Hong Kong is scaling innovation as a leading AI hub, driving technological advancement and fostering global collaboration. Meanwhile, the five PolyU startups will share about their journeys in innovation and entrepreneurial endeavours.
On 19 June, Prof. Chao will participate as a distinguished speaker in the Executive Dialogue during the HKTDC-hosted Hong Kong Seminar-cum-Networking Reception. Centred on the theme “Talent & Infrastructure Powering the Hong Kong Tech Leadership and Global Collaboration”, the high-level seminar also features distinguished leaders representing the forefront of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology ecosystem. Prof. Chao will engage in in-depth topics such as how to attract and nurture global talent, and how academia-driven initiatives can drive technological synergies between Hong Kong and Europe.
For full details of PolyU’s participation at VivaTech 2026, please visit the webpage of PolyU’s Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office.
Hashtag: #PolyU
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Capital. com has enabled a Model Context Protocol server plugin that allows traders to connect their accounts directly with compatible AI assistant environments, marking a step towards more integrated use of artificial intelligence in retail trading and market research. The free, open-source tool links a trader’s Capital. com account to an AI assistant running on a desktop environment, giving users the ability to view market data, analyse […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Bahrain-based Investcorp has launched an Artificial Intelligence Investment Framework to guide its investment decisions across private equity, real assets and credit, positioning the technology as a central factor in deal screening, portfolio construction and value creation across its global alternatives platform. The framework, set out in a new report, formalises how the Manama-headquartered firm will assess AI-led opportunities and risks at a time […]
Microsoft has warned that Anthropic’s Claude Code GitHub Action could expose CI/CD workflow secrets when AI agents process untrusted GitHub content, raising fresh concerns over how autonomous coding tools operate inside software delivery pipelines. The issue centres on the way Claude Code Action handled file-reading capabilities inside GitHub Actions runners. While subprocess paths such as Bash were subject to environment scrubbing and sandboxing controls, the agent’s Read […]
Security teams are facing a fresh warning over enterprise use of AI coding agents after researchers identified a man-in-the-middle attack path that can redirect Claude Code traffic, capture OAuth tokens and preserve access to connected software-as-a-service platforms. The technique targets the way Anthropic’s Claude Code interacts with Model Context Protocol servers, a fast-growing mechanism used to connect AI agents with external systems such as Jira, Confluence, GitHub, […]
SAN MATEO/HANOI – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 June 2026 – VinDynamics, a robotics technology company within Vingroup, and Skild AI, a company developing foundation models for robotics, today announced the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on humanoid robotics and embodied AI. The move marks another step in VinDynamics’ strategy to accelerate humanoid robotics development through global collaboration and advanced technology partnerships.
Representatives of VinDynamics and Skild AI at the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in San Mateo, California, USA.
Under the MOU, the collaboration will focus on embodied AI research, robot manipulation, sim-to-real transfer, edge AI deployment, and validation of humanoid systems in real-world environments. Both companies will also explore opportunities to integrate The Skild Brain, Skild AI’s omnibodied AI software, into VinDynamics’ humanoid robots. The Skild Brain runs directly on robotic hardware and enhances the adaptability, efficiency, and reliability of humanoid systems in practical applications.
Additional areas under discussion may include knowledge exchange related to robot intelligence and real-world deployment, as well as potential cooperation in software, model, and hardware development, alongside the potential manufacturing of humanoid robots at scale.
The partnership brings together VinDynamics’ robotics engineering, manufacturing capabilities, and real-world deployment ecosystem with Skild AI’s foundation model technology. Together, the companies aim to accelerate the development and deployment of humanoid robots capable of operating in complex and dynamic environments, while supporting growing demand for intelligent robotic systems across industries including manufacturing, logistics, hospitality, and commercial services.
Prof. La Manh Hung, President, VinDynamics, said: “This partnership represents an important step for VinDynamics as we continue building scalable humanoid robotics platforms for real-world deployment. Skild AI brings the most exciting advances in embodied AI today. Combined with our robotics platform and manufacturing capabilities, we believe this partnership can accelerate the deployment of humanoid robots in complex environments.”
Mr. Deepak Pathak, Co-Founder and CEO of Skild AI, said: “The future of robotics depends on combining scalable physical systems with adaptable, general-purpose intelligence. VinDynamics brings strong engineering capabilities, manufacturing scale, and access to real-world deployment environments through the Vingroup ecosystem. We are excited to work together to advance embodied AI for practical applications.”
Established in September 2025, VinDynamics is a pioneering company in the field of humanoid robotics within Vingroup. The company is dedicated to developing versatile, human-centric robots capable of seamless integration into everyday life, with the scalability to support global deployment.
Hashtag: #VinDynamics
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About VinDynamics
VinDynamics is a technology company under Vingroup, dedicated to the research, development, and manufacturing of advanced robotics and automation solutions, particularly in the field of humanoid robots. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, mechatronics, and motion control, VinDynamics aims to deliver intelligent, safe, and cost-effective robotic products that enhance productivity and improve quality of life.
Founded in 2023, Skild AI builds a general-purpose foundation model for robotics. Backed by SoftBank Group, NVIDIA Ventures, Jeff Bezos, Lightspeed, Coatue, Sequoia Capital, Felicis, and others, the company is valued at over $14 billion. Offices in Pittsburgh, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Bengaluru.
Britain is preparing to use public procurement to support domestic artificial intelligence chipmakers, offering to buy semiconductor equipment from UK-based technology companies as ministers seek to stop promising hardware firms from shifting capital, talent and production plans overseas. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall is expected to outline the plan at London Tech Week, where the government will position strategic purchases as part of a broader effort to give […]
Google’s AI texting assistant is moving ordinary phone messages closer to machine-assisted conversation, offering Android users suggested replies and tone changes while intensifying scrutiny over privacy, consent and whether digital communication is becoming less human. Magic Compose, built into Google Messages, uses Gemini technology to suggest replies, start conversations and rewrite drafts in styles ranging from formal to casual. On supported Android devices using AICore, the message-suggestion […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Saudi Arabia has opened talks with Russia’s Sistema investment group in St Petersburg as Riyadh seeks to deepen industrial partnerships, localise advanced technologies and strengthen supply chains under its wider economic diversification programme. Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef met senior Sistema executives during a visit to the Russian city, with discussions centred on cooperation in high-priority industrial sectors and the […]
Controlled fire whirls have emerged as a promising tool for tackling offshore oil spills after large-scale field tests showed that spinning columns of flame can burn crude oil faster, consume more fuel and sharply cut soot compared with conventional surface burning. Researchers led by Elaine Oran and Qingsheng Wang at Texas A&M University, with Michael Gollner of the University of California, Berkeley, created fire whirls under controlled […]
A serious flaw in Hugging Face’s Transformers library has widened concern over the security of model-sharing ecosystems after researchers showed that a poisoned model configuration could trigger remote code execution during a routine load operation. Tracked as CVE-2026-4372, the vulnerability affects Transformers versions before 5.3.0 and centres on the handling of the attnimplementationinternal field inside a model’s config. json file. Security researchers found that an attacker could […]
Amazon has unveiled an upgraded version of its Proteus warehouse robot that can take plain-language instructions from workers, marking a major step in the company’s push to automate heavier tasks across its European fulfilment network. The next-generation Proteus was shown at Amazon’s Dartford fulfilment centre east of London as part of a wider investment programme of more than €10 billion, equal to about $11.6 billion, aimed at […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 June 2026 – A large high-level business delegation led by John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), today (June 5) wrapped up its five-day visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan respectively, achieving fruitful results of strengthening bilateral relations and deepening ties with Central Asia.
The delegation of over 70 business and institutional leaders from Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland is the largest and most diverse overseas mission led by the current term of the HKSAR Government so far.
Hong Kong SAR’s Chief Executive, John Lee (fifth right) and the Advisor to the President of Uzbekistan on Strategic Development, Sardor Umurzakov (fourth right) witness the exchange of memoranda of understanding and co-operation agreements between government departments, enterprises and organisations from Hong Kong and Uzbekistan.
Speaking to the media in Uzbekistan yesterday (June 4), Mr Lee set out the three main objectives of the visit: further explore emerging markets and lay the foundation for long-term economic and trade development; strengthen government-to-government (G2G) relationships and promote closer bilateral co-operation; and build a “hub-to-hub” model of co-operation.
He said the visit had been successful, yielding achievements in eight areas, including:
Establishing high-level contacts and ties between the HKSAR Government and the Governments of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and reaching consensus on co-operation in multiple areas;
A total of 96 co-operation agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were reached during the visit (61 with Kazakhstan, 35 with Uzbekistan), involving specific amounts exceeding US$1.65 billion in total;
The governments agreed to commence bilateral discussions on agreements in various areas;
Deepening project matching and research collaboration between Hong Kong and Central Asian region in areas including finance, innovation and technology (I&T), and aviation;
Demonstrating Hong Kong’s effective role as a platform for going global and achieving substantial results, with Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises joining forces in tapping new markets and bringing synergistic advantages into full play;
Facilitating more convenient people-to-people exchanges by promoting direct flights, aviation and transport co-operation, and extensions to the mutual visa-free period;
Promoting exchanges in education, talent and culture to further deepen people-to-people bonds; and
Advancing a hub-to-hub co-operation model to open up broader room for co-operation between Hong Kong and the Central Asian region.
While in Tashkent (June 3-5), Mr Lee met with local leaders, government officials and business representatives to deepen co-operation between Hong Kong and Uzbekistan in areas including trade, investment, finance, I&T, and people-to-people exchanges.
Mr Lee held meetings with the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev, his Advisor on Strategic Development, Sardor Umurzakov, the Prime Minister, Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov, as well as the Deputy Prime Minister, Jamshid Khodjayev, to exchange views on furthering mutual co-operation.
Mr Lee highlighted that under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. He said that Hong Kong would continue to play its roles as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder” to further deepen co-operation and exchanges with Uzbekistan on various fronts in line with Uzbekistan’s goal of achieving high-quality development.
Hong Kong SAR’s Chief Executive, John Lee (left) meets with the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev.
Earlier (June 3), Mr Lee met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov, after which they jointly witnessed an exchange of notes between the two places on a mutual visa-free arrangement, which would allow a visa-free period of 30 days for visitors from both sides.
“Moreover, we are glad to have initialed the Air Services Agreement with Uzbekistan, and look forward to launching direct passenger flights between the two places soon,” Mr Lee said, during a high-level business dinner (June 4). The Chief Executive pointed out that Hong Kong and Uzbekistan are important trade and investment gateways to their respective regions – the Asia-Pacific and Central Asia.
“It helps that we are all believers in the Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative, a modern expression of the ancient Silk Road spirit,” Mr Lee said. “Today, China is Uzbekistan’s largest trading partner, and the two countries work closely on major infrastructure and connectivity projects that are revitalising the Silk Road. Hong Kong is a pivotal player in the B&R Initiative, thanks to our world-class professional and financial services expertise.”
The delegation also toured the IT Park Uzbekistan and the Center for Islamic Civilization before concluding its visit in Tashkent.
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